Written by DCist contributor Dave Weigel

The Magnetic Fields have a song called “Washington, D.C.” It’s not actually about Washington, per se. The city is a collection of incidental, touristy, democratic details, and what makes it important to vocalist Claudia Gonson is that it’s “where my baby lives, that’s all.” So it’s fitting that the band put the song together as an afterthought. Gonson walked on the stage for an encore, promised the audience an a cappella version, and got interrupted by the arrival of the rest of the band.

”I told them I would sing ‘Washington, D.C.!’” Gonson said, laughing. “And then you came out!”

”I can’t hear you,” said Merritt. He really couldn’t. He has hyperacusis and plugs his ears to block out loud noise.

The two founders of the Magnetic Fields looked at each other, unblinking. Gonson made her move. “I’ll sing the first verse.” She played it haltingly, hitting her notes on the piano as if she was tutoring an especially rhythmic and invisible pupil.

”If we knew we’d be in Washington,” said Merritt, “we probably would have rehearsed that song.”